Automobile



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 S. S. MARAN AuToMogLE Filed Oct. 25 1924 Nov. 24, 1925.

' INVENToR ,Solomon/5f Mara/n ATTORNEYS n WITNESSES S. S. MARAN Nov. '24 1925.

AUToMoBILE Filed oct. 25

. 1924 5 Sheec.s-Shee'll 2 WITNESSE S. S. MARAN Nov. 24, 1925.

AUTOMOBILE Filed Ocl'.. 25 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 uw www N QW.

' INVENTOR Y6 A'rroRNEYs Nov. 24 1925 S. S. MARAN AUTOMOBILE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed. oct. g5

ATTORNEYS Nov. 24 1925 1,563,214

S. S. MARAN AUTOMOBILE Filed Oct. 25, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WITNESSES INVENTOR Solowwn/AS Murau ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 24, 1925.

UNITED 'STATES istinti e lPA'reN'r OFFICE.

sonoiuon s. rennen; or New Yoan, n. v.

AUTOMOBILE.

Application :filed Gotober 25, 1924. Serial No. 745,926.

Manhattain in the county and State of New i `York, have invented a new and improved Automobile, of which the following` Ais a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to automobiles, and the primary Object of the invention is to prevent accidents with resultant injury to persons and property.

il; further object is to provide an automo bile with quick stopping mechanism caused to operate when either a bumper on the lower portion of the car, or a frame On the upper portion of the car comes into contact either with a person, a fixed object or another automobile.

illy invention, therefore, relates to means employed on an automobile to bring the car to a quick stop without shielding and which stopping means is operated by any one of three devices, one device constituting a forwardly projecting bumper, another device a movable frame at the top of the car, and the third a. manually movable device within convenient reach of the driver of the car.

llVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

fin the accompanying drawingsliigure 1 is a view in side elevatiompartly broken away, illustrating my improvements as applied to an automobile of the limousine type although itis to be understood that the invention is applicable to any type of automobile;

Figure 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section;

Figure 3 is an inverted plan view; Figure 4 is a sectional plan view, the view being taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical longitudinal section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 and showing the parts in position to stop the car; y y

Figure 7 is a view with the parts in the position shown in Figure 6, the section being on the line 7 7 of Figure 4;

Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are fragmentary views illustrating various details of construction.

1 represents the chassis and 2 Athe body of an automobile., I have illustrated iu the drawings a limousine type of automobile but would have it understoodthat the inveiition is adapted for use in connection with any type of car. Thechassis 1 is sup port-ed upon-front and rear` axles 8 and 4, respectively, which are'mounted in the front and rear wheels 5 and 6, respectively, as is customary in ordinary car construction.

The chassis 1 provides mounting and guiding means for a longitudinally movable setting frame 'i'. I employ this term setting frame toV distinguish this part from' other frames of the mechanism, and use the term because it is movable to a position to hold the car stopping means set and is also moved to release the car holding-ineens. This setting frame is comparatively wide at its forward end and at its rear end is appreciably narrower and comprises a pair of parallel bars 8, 8. j

9 represents a front crossbar which preferably of tubular rubber and has tia functions of an ordinary bumper, but in addition thereto functions as a contactdo vice and is operatively connected to a1trip ping frame 44, the principal function of said tripping frame being to trip or release the setting frame 7 to allow the car stoppingmeans to function.

For clearness of description l shall describe in detail, first., the car stopping mechanism, then the setting mechanism and then the tripping mechanism, all of which, oflcourse, co-operate to give the desired resu ts.

0m* stopping mechanism.

Fixed to move with the rear wheel 6 is a pair of toothed wheels 11, and while l have shown these toothed wheels as xed to the axles it is obvious that they mav be operatively connected to move with the wheels in any approved manner.

While I have shown these wheels as ratchet. wheels, in form they have no function of ratchet wheels other than the tendency to protect themselves from breaking the teeth in the event of undue strain of the interlocking rod 12. This interlocking rod 12 lOIl is carried by a pair of depending arms 1? which are fixed at their upper ends to a shding plate 14. The rod 12 is movable 1n slots 175 in fixed brackets 16, and coil springs 1T connect the plate la with the fixed part of the car and exert a rearward pull thereon, i

position the rod l2 will be out of engagement with thetfoothed wheels ll. This set position is illustrated in detail in'Figure l?? and in plan` in Figure 12.

In order to prevent possibility of skidding when the turning movement of the wheels is stopped by the engagement Vof rod 'l2 with the toothed wheels ll, I provide a pair of shoes 2O onto which the rear wheels 6 ride and are supported and function to embed the slices into the pavement, as illust' ated in detail in Figure lil. These shoes 2O are of somewhat wedge-shape with sharp front cornered flanges 2l at their side edges so thatwhen the wheel rides ont-o the shoe its weight will embed the flanges into ythe pavement and absolutely prevent any possibilit;y of skidding.

These shoes 2O are carried by 'links 32 which have slot and pin connection, as shown at 23, with fixed brackets 24. This slot and pin connection not only permits of the necessary pivotal or swinging fmovement. of the links but it also allows for a certain amount of longitudinal movement ofl the links which is necessary for :proper operation. The links 22 have angle brackets fixed thereto and. these angle brackets 25 are normally positioned under a plate 27 carried by the setting frame 7 so that when the settingframe is in its set position the links 92 will be in a horizontal position with the shoes 2O elevated, as indicated clearly in Figure 13. lVhcn the setting frame is moved rearwardly so that the plate QT releases the brackets the shoes 2O will move downwardly and rearwardly under the rear wheels, as indicated in Figure 4l.

The car stopping means, therefore, not only includes a positive means for prevent.- ing turning movement of the wheels but it also includes the shoes which absolutely prevent forward movement by reason of skidding, and these two mechanisms insure the quick, almost instantaneous, stopping ofthe car.

lVith a view to providing means for hold ing the shoes 2O during the setting operaA tion, I provide perforated lugs on the shoes which may be projected through slots 3l in the running board 32, and while in this position removable pins may be projeoted through the lugs above the running board `vand to hold the parts until properly set, when these pins 33 can be removed.

Setting Intec/zomaar.

The `settin mechanism includes the frame 7 with its parallelbars 8 above referred to. A pair of coil springs Q8 connects the forward enlarged portion of it 1amc 7 with liXed lugs 29 on the car and exerts a rearward pull on the frame. Thesesprings are, of course, under tension when the frame is in its forward position.

In addition to the springs 28 I provide a pair of stronger springs Sit which are con-- nected at their rear ends to a fixed part of the car and at their for fard ends to a plate 35 which is fixed to the parallel bars 8 and has a rearwardly projecting tongue 36 to engage a pivoted foot 3T for a purpose which will lhereinafter appear.

The setting frame 7 is moved forwardly to set position by means of a longitudinally positioned rotary screw 38 located at the rear of the chassis and In'eferably made angular at its rear end, as shown at 3f), to receive a crank arm 4:0 to turn the same as occasion may require. This screw is in operative position with a block 4l so that the block is caused to move fcnfwardlv and rearwardly in accordance with the direction in which the vscrew is turned. This block slides upon a pair of guide rods 4t2 and engages a crossbar 4&3 fixed at its ends to the parallel bars 8 of frame 7. the screw is turned in adirection to move the block Llil forwardly it causes the entire frame 7 toV move forwardly and bring the parts into set position. After the 'frame is set the screw is turned to bring the block t1 to its rearward position so as not to interfere with the rearward movement of the setting frame upon the operation of the mechanism.

Trippin g 9210072, (mism.

The tripping mechanism includes a 'frame 417i located in a lower plane than the frame 7 and guided in its movements by fixed guides on the car.V This frame at its for ward end carries the bumper bar 9 above referred to, and a coil sprino' l5 connects z, lug i7 on the setting frame 'i' with a lug 4G on the tripping frame it so as to hold the tripping .fraiue and the bumper bar f) in a forward position. rlhis spring is relatively light so that it permits an easy rearward movement of the tripping frame and is overcome by the action of the springs 2S and Set which are preferably stronger than thc spring 4-5.

On the tripping frame li is a pair of aligned longitudinal webs fl-S and 4179 constituting cams, their function being to control a catch pivotally'mounted on a fulcrum 5l carried by a fixed part of the car struc- I-Ience, when ill) lill

'largei'nent 54 ture. One end of this catch has a finger adapted to engage behind a finger 5?) on the setting trame 'T and couple the Jiframes T and 4A together. Then in this position an enon the catch 50 is located over the web 48 and held tliereby in locking position. The web 49 constitutes a cam which when theV tripping trame #il is moved rearwardly functions to litt the 'tree end ot the catch 5() and release it,` trom engagement with the setting frame, as clearly indicated in VFigures 8 and 9 of the drawings. This web 48 also unctionsto pivot the latch into position for engagement with the finger 58 whenthe mechanism is moving toward set position, as shown in Figure 8.

pair oit| brackets is iiKed to irame 14C and engages frame '7, as indicated in Figure 4;, to limit the forward movement ot the tripping frame and the bumper rel ative to the setting frame. Furthermore, the bumperI is provided with a pair oit rearwardly proj ecting arms having shoulders 57 at their rear ends which are enga-ged by depending posts 58 fired to a frame 59 supported at the top of the car. This trame 59 has some 'functions of a bumper and also a shield or guard and it constitutes in addition to such functions one element ol'i the tripping mechanism. In otherl words, the

contact oit this trame 59 with another car or object causes the 'frame to move rearwardly and set 1n motion the car stopping means, as will more fully hereinafter ap` ear.

This'frame 59 is oit general oblong shape. It is of sufficient length to Vprotect not only the `front and rear ends of the ear but it is also suiiiciently wide relative to the car body to receive contact ot similar frames of other cars, as indicated mostV clearly in the plan view of Figure 9J. The frame may be tlormed in various ways and is guided in its longitudinal movement by suitable guides (i0 which, however, do not in any sense project outside ot the outer surface ot the lrame 59 as it is desirable that this frame be entirely smooth so as to allow the trame of one car to slip readily along or oli' of a similar frame oi another car in the event ot collision or contact which might otherwise cause injury and damage.

The frame 59 is resiliently 'held in its forward position by springs 61 connecting the rear portion of the frame with a iiXed part 52 of the car body. The mounting and guiding means of the frame 59 may be supported and strengthened by uprights 63 mounted upon the radiator Gioi the aut0- mobile. Also, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction of mounting but is broadly to the idea of this form of frame which cooperates with the tripping mechanism to cause the car to stop in the event et con tact of the iorward end with another car or fixed object. It will also be noted that the forward end of the trame 59 projects beyond the plane oi thel bumper 9 so that in the event of two cars coming together the frame 59 will move before the bumper 9 is engaged.

In addition to the automatic means above described for releasing the car stopping mechanism, l preferably provide some means within the car which may be manually operated. lilith this idea in view I provide a lever 65 located within the car in convenient reach oi the operator, and at its ,lower end engaging la crossbar (SG on the setting frame. v

I have referred to a toot 3T` in he description above and will now set orth the 'function ot this foot which is shown clearly in Figure 6. The ioot is held in its normal position by means of a crossbar 67 on the tripping frame ai and is in the path of movement ot the arm 36 on plate S5. When the tripping 'frame moves rearwardly a short distance the foot 3T can fall by gravity against the iront edge oi2 the bar 6T so that when the arm 3G of plate 35 moves rearwardly it lwillcontact with the foot 3T and cause the latter to swing rearwardly and carryf with it the tripping frame All so as to drawthe bumper bar rearwardly as far as deemed des1rable.

The operation is as follows:

As above explained, to set the mechanism 100 the screw 38 is operated to move the setting frame 7 forwardly. This also permits the tripping 'frame la to move forwardly, the catch 5() serving to couple the parts in their Jforward set position. At the same time, or

just previous to this movement of the setting mechanism, the shoes 2O are elevated and the rod 12 moved forwardly, and these parts Y held in such position by the mechanism above described.

It the frame 59 is `moved rearwardly or if the bumper 9 yis moved rearwardly or if the lever G5 is operated, the tripping trame 44 will move rearwardly so as to release the catch 50 by reason of the cam 19, and the setting frame 7 will be drawn rearwardly by its springs, as above explained. When the iframe 7 is drawn `rearward by its spring 28 it engages the shoulders 55 and carries the frame 45t with it. This rearward movement oi the setting trame releases the shoes 2O and the members holding the rod 12. Hence, the rod 12 will move into contact with the teeth of the wheels 11 and the shoes 20 will be positioned under the rear wheels. The car will then almost instantly come to a stop.

It will be noted thatthe bumper is extremely flexible in its mounting so that it cannot strike a person or object initially with suthclent force to do them an injury.

On the contrary, as soon as the bumper or the frame 59 comes into contact with a person or object they move rearwardly and, before any fixed part of the car can strike a person or object with suliicient force to .kill or injure, the car will be brought to a stop by reason of the stopping' mechanism above described.

' This invention, therefore, embodies a construction and operative means which is designed to quickly stop the car and prevent accidents due to collision with persons or objects, and the inventor is, therefore, concerned in the saving of life and preventing serious injury which so commonly occurs with the use of automobiles as now constructed.

In order that the mechanism operate properly it is necessary that the front wheels be located back of the front of the radiator so that the wheels will not be engaged.

lVhile specific details of construction are set forth and illustrated I would have it distinctly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In an automobile, the combination with stopping means therefor, a movable frame at the top of the car tripping means normally holding the stopping` means out of operation, and means connectingl the frame with the tripping means whereby a slight movement of the movable frame releases the tripping means and brings the car to a quick stop.

Q. The combination with an automobile, of stopping means therefor, a movable bumper, and a movable frame surroundingl the top of the car and movable longitudinally relative to the car, both or either of which adapted to operate the stopping nut-ans.

2S. The combination with an automobile, of stopping means therefor, a movable bumper. a movable frame at the top of the car, and a manually operated means within the car, said bumper, said frame or said manually operated means adapted to operate the stopping means.

Al. The combination with an automobile, stopping mechanism therefor, a setting frame normally holding the stopping mechanism out of operation, a tripping frame controlling the release of the. setting frame, a bumper on the tripping frame, and a movable frame at the topY of the automobile operatively connected to the tripping frame.

5. The combination with an automobile, stopping' mechanism therefor, a setting frame holding the stopping mechanism out of operation, a screw adapted to move the setting frame to normal position, a tripping frame, a catch coupling the tripping and setting frames, a bumper on the tripping frame, springs exerting rearward pressure on both of said frames, and a movable frame at the top of an automobile coupled to the tripping frame whereby the rearward movement of either of said last-mentioned frames, or thel bumper functions to release the setting frame and permit the setting mechanism to cheek the forward movement of the automobile 6. The combination with an automobile of stopping means therefor, a setting frame normally holding' the stopping mechanism out of operation, a rearwardly movable resilinently held tripping frame, a bumper connected with the tripping frame, an upper frame movably mounted on the automobile and operatively connected to the tripping frame, a catch normally coupling the tripping frame and the setting frame, and a cam on the tripping frame functioning to release the catch when the tripping frame is moved rearwardly.

7. Tie combination with an automobile, of stopping mechanism therefor, a setting frame normally holding the stopping mechanism out of operation, a tripping frame, a`

pivoted catch, a cam on the tripping franie normally holding the catch in operative cngagemcnt with the setting frame, and a sccond cani on the tripping frame and adapted to release the catch when the tripping` frame is moved rearwardly.

SOLOMON S. MARAN. 

